Trinis in Barbados to be tested, advised to apply for exemptions

The 35 Trinidadian nationals who are in Barbados will be tested for COVID-19 as they near the end of their 14-day quarantine period.

Minister of National Security, Stuart Young says he’ll consider granting them an exemption if they go through the necessary processes.

“I agreed to send test kits from Trinidad up for those persons to be tested for COVID-19 so the proposal at this stage, and I will be writing to the attorneys during the course of today, the proposal is as soon as they complete their 14-day quarantine cycle in Barbados, I’m going to ask the Barbadian authorities to test them,” he said.

Young added that once they test negative and they make their own arrangements, he is prepared to consider granting them an exemption to the current border closure. From there, it will be up to the Ministry of Health, as to whether they will need to undergo a further quarantine.

A similar arrangement will be made for the Trinidadian nationals in Suriname; they’ll have to have medical checks done to determine whether they too can apply for an exemption.

Young says that the best advice for any Trinidad and Tobago nationals who are stuck abroad during this time is to shelter in place. He reiterated that any movement, particularly through airports, present a greater risk of infection and should be avoided as best as possible.

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